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Miller 135 or 175

05-31-2006, 11:22 AM

New to the board and looking on advice on my first purchase. I have 110 and 220 at the house so power is not a factor except for portability. Cost is not a factor as I would rather spend more now than wish I had later.

I will be doing projects around the house for fun. I dont even know how to weld but when I went to have a gokart frame made for my daughter everyone was charging around $65 an hour and said it would take 6-8 hours. Did not take me long to figure out I would be better off buying a welder and learning to mig weld.

Am I better off with a 175 vs a 135 for hobby and home use. Would a 135 even be able to weld a kart frame. Im looking at 1x.083 square tubing for most of the frame. Of course this is just my first project other than alot of practice before I start the frame. What about making a trailer. I know alot has to do with the steel thickness and cost is not an issue so wich one would I be better off with?

I have read dozens of the posts there and they go on forever with good advice, and the overall consensus if you have 220v and the cash is to buy the tapped (versus an infinte control) mig like the Lincoln SP175T (sold under various badges at Lowes (ProMig 175), Home Depot) or other similar Miller, Hobart, HTP machine, the exception would be if you need to put the welder in the vehicle and often take it to a buddy's house who only has 110v . I am sure someone will offer an alternate point of view, but that is start.

Garfish

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I wish I had started out with the 175. I got a 135 to start with in the MIG dept. Portability for sure, but very sensitive to power input. If you don't need the portability, go 175. If you have the budget, and portability IS a major concern, maybe a Passport would be better. It has the best of both worlds as does the DVI. The DVI is less portable, but would offer a better duty cycle than the 175 and Passport. Some have done it, but I would never build a trailer with a 135 class machine. That is just pushing them too hard. They can handle the tube easily. For a 135, 1/8 for MIG and 3/16 for flux core are about the maximums. An experienced weldor can squeeze a little more out of them, but not that much.

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I started out just as you are and not so long ago. I bought a 135(red brand) the play at projects. Then I got the gas bottle to do shielded work for the better quality. Then I sold the whole thing to my brother and bought a MM210. I don't expect to outgrow this one right away. The 135 didn't have the power to penetrate on some of my little projects. I also picked up a small stick welder (Craftsman) that comes in real handy some times. It's 110 volts and very portable.

You are allowed to have more then one welder. You will also need an oxy/acet torch set and maybe later a plasma cutter, 3/8" minimum, and auto darkening welding shield... There's no end to the list. Start saving.

Then I fell into blacksmithing...

Have a good time!

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You would probably find that the 135 would do most everything you've told us so far. It's those mid-size things you aren't thinking about right now that'll make you wish you'd gotten the 240V model. It doesn't cost much more and is WAY more welder.

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I have a MM135 and with .023 wire and C25 it does quite a good job and I'm not sorry I bought it. It exceeded my expectations for a 110 volt machine with a 20% duty cycle. If cost and portability is not an issue, then get yourself a MM210 and don't look back. You will be able to complete your first project which will lead to more challenging future projects and you will not be limited by equipment capacity. I can stick whatever my MM135 can't handle, but a MM210 is in my budget for next month.

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A best first purchase maybe an auto-darkening welding helmet. More critical for stick than for mig because you can set your mig gun/wire in position more easily before you drop your lid, but my welds improved a lot when I went to an AD. Lot of people use the Harbor Freight $65 AD's, apparently with good results. Protecting my eyes worries me, so I went with the Jackson Journeyman at about $125. It is the little window (2x4") and is just the shade 3 & shade 10. Works great for hobbyist. There are other mainstream brands of helmets, too. Search at the Hobart Weldtalk on helmet and AD.

Garfish

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i have the 175 i have welded 1 3/4" .134 wall roll cages back halfed a car and done trailer work with it and have welded as thin as 20 gauge i love my miller 175 if i had the money i would go bigger if you plan on sticking with welding buy bigger then you need now and save your self some money in the long run

miller 330 a/pb tig miller 175 mig
student and hobbiest

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I know this is a bit off base, but I had to decide wether or not I wanted a 135/175 about two years ago and went with the 175. I love the thing dearly , but now that the Millermatic® DVI is out... dang... wish I could've grabbed that instead.

I like the 175.... and don't mind the 220V for around the yard... but it sure would be nice to be able to plug into 110 at the buddies house every once in awhile.

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In an effort to spend the least amount of money, we all have a tendency to buy a machine that will do every job imaginable. The 135 is a great machine for small work and portability. Mine is used for tacking mostly, finishing the weld with TIG or SMAW. If you're just starting and your material is under 1/8", the 135 is great. You'll have it as a back-up after you buy a larger, more powerful machine or one for a different process. If portability doesn't matter, go for the 175. Otherwise, as time goes by, you'll know you haven't sunk a ton of money into a machine you may not use often. As your skills improve, you'll know what direction to go in.

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I was looking at smaller models (Lincolns and Hobarts at Home Depot) when my husband offered to buy me a new welder for my birthday. Made a visit to a local welding supply store, and the sales rep recommended the MM210. We decided on the 210 and, three years later, I couldn't be happier! I'm a sculptor, and the MM210 is just amazing. I've yet to hit on something it can't handle.

If you check around, many times Miller offers a promotional deal. My welder came with an AD helmet. Takes a little getting used to, but well worth it when it come to eye protection.